Project Manager Engineering

Cluett Reeve; Chard Junction; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to £70k salary

Job summary

Cluett Reeve in Somerset is seeking an experienced New Product Introduction (NPI) Project Manager to lead engineering projects from customer enquiry through to production handover.

You will coordinate engineering, production, quality and commercial teams to deliver on time, within budget and to high quality standards.

We value a strong PM background in precision engineering, aerospace/defence sectors, and experience with gated development processes and MS Project.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing New Product Introduction (NPI) or engineering projects.
• Experience within precision engineering, machining, casting, aerospace, defence, automotive or regulated manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of structured project management methodologies and gated development processes.
• Experience using Microsoft Project to manage complex programmes.
• Knowledge of manufacturing quality standards such as AS9100 or equivalent.
• The ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Excellent organisational, planning and stakeholder management skills.
• A commercial mindset with the ability to balance quality, cost and delivery objectives.

Responsibilities

• Leading New Product Introduction (NPI) projects from concept through to production.
• Managing structured gated project reviews and ensuring all deliverables are achieved.
• Developing and maintaining detailed project plans using Microsoft Project.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary teams across Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing and Commercial departments.
• Acting as the key point of contact for customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Managing project budgets, timescales, risks, change control and quality performance.
• Supporting Design for Manufacture reviews covering machining, casting, inspection and production readiness.
• Ensuring customer specifications and engineering requirements are fully understood and delivered.
• Supporting APQP, PPAP, FAIR, FMEA, Control Plans and validation activities where required.
• Chairing project meetings, tracking actions and producing clear progress reports.
• Ensuring smooth transition from development into full-scale production.
• Driving continuous improvement across project delivery and NPI processes.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Planning

Commercial mindset

Education

HNC/HND or Degree in Engineering or PM

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Role: New Product Introduction (NPI) Project Manager Location: Somerset Excellent Salary Benefits up to £70k (from 40k DOE) Lead Innovation. Deliver Complex Engineering Projects. Shape the Future of Manufacturing.

Are you an experienced Project Manager with a passion for bringing new products to life? Do you thrive in a fast-paced engineering environment where no two projects are the same? We're looking for an exceptional New Product Introduction (NPI) Project Manager to take ownership of exciting engineering projects from initial customer enquiry through to full production. Working within a highly respected precision manufacturing business serving sectors such as Aerospace, Defence and Advanced Engineering , you'll play a pivotal role in delivering world-class products that make a real difference. This is an opportunity to join an innovative organisation where your expertise, leadership and project management skills will directly influence business success.

The Role As the NPI Project Manager , you'll be responsible for leading multiple new product introduction projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards. Working closely with engineering, production, quality, commercial and operations teams, you'll coordinate every stage of the project lifecycle from contract award through to successful production handover. You'll become the driving force behind complex manufacturing programmes, ensuring risks are managed, milestones achieved and customers kept informed every step of the way.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading New Product Introduction (NPI) projects from concept through to production.
• Managing structured gated project reviews and ensuring all deliverables are achieved.
• Developing and maintaining detailed project plans using Microsoft Project.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary teams across Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing and Commercial departments.
• Acting as the key point of contact for customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Managing project budgets, timescales, risks, change control and quality performance.
• Supporting Design for Manufacture reviews covering machining, casting, inspection and production readiness.
• Ensuring customer specifications and engineering requirements are fully understood and delivered.
• Supporting APQP, PPAP, FAIR, FMEA, Control Plans and validation activities where required.
• Chairing project meetings, tracking actions and producing clear progress reports.
• Ensuring smooth transition from development into full-scale production.
• Driving continuous improvement across project delivery and NPI processes.

What We're Looking For

• ? Proven experience managing New Product Introduction (NPI) or engineering projects.
• ? Experience within precision engineering, machining, casting, aerospace, defence, automotive or regulated manufacturing.
• ? Strong understanding of structured project management methodologies and gated development processes.
• ? Experience using Microsoft Project to manage complex programmes.
• ? Knowledge of manufacturing quality standards such as AS9100 or equivalent.
• ? The ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• ? Excellent organisational, planning and stakeholder management skills.
• ? A commercial mindset with the ability to balance quality, cost and delivery objectives.

Desirable Experience

• ? Aerospace or Defence manufacturing
• ? Investment Casting or CNC Machining
• ? APQP, PPAP, FAIR, PFMEA and Control Plans
• ? ERP/MRP manufacturing systems
• ? PRINCE2 or equivalent Project Management qualification
• ? HNC, HND or Degree in Engineering or Project Management

Why Join Us?

• ? A varied and technically challenging workload
• ? Working alongside highly skilled engineering professionals
• ? Genuine opportunities for career progression
• ? A collaborative and supportive working environment
• ? Exposure to prestigious customers within Aerospace, Defence and Advanced Manufacturing
• ? The chance to influence how new products are successfully introduced into production

Ready to Lead the Next Generation of Engineering Projects? If you're a driven Project Manager who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges, leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering projects that make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.